Strike-Burdened Managers Say... Don't Worry

Northwest Airlines' flight attendants who are crossing picket lines set up by striking mechanics on this fourth day of job action, say they're worried about the safety of the aircraft they fly in. The FAs are flooding their own union's phone lines with complaints about what they see when they watch mechanics work on their planes.

"Many of our people have called in and said, 'We're concerned about flying on these aircraft,'"  APFA spokesman Bob Krabbe told Bloomberg News.

But the airline says there's nothing to worry about, as more than 1,500 contract mechanics are filling the void left by the 4,400 workers now on strike.

"The contractor technicians that are supporting our operations are experienced and highly qualified professionals with an average of 14 years experience working on equipment comparable to that operated by Northwest Airlines," NWA spokesman Kurt Ebenhoch said when questioned by Bloomberg. "The contractor technicians that are supporting our operations are experienced and highly qualified professionals with an average of 14 years experience working on equipment comparable to that operated by Northwest Airlines."

The FAA continues to monitor the safety of work done by contract mechanics, he said.

FMI: www.nwa.com